Decreasing waste and boosting efficiency will be at the forefront of discussions at the Hort Connections 2018 horticulture industry conference, kicking off in Queensland in just over two months.

Taking place at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre from 18-20 June, members in the horticulture industry will be inspired to aim high, with the theme of halving waste and doubling productivity by the year 2030 headlining the conference.

A joint initiative between AUSVEG and the Produce Marketing Association Australia-New Zealand (PMA A-NZ), Hort Connections 2018 is the premiere event for the horticulture industry, encompassing the vegetable, fruit, cut floral and nursery sectors.

“As the war on waste is a hot topic in Australia and across the globe, it made perfect sense to continue the discussion at Hort Connections 2018 and set a challenge for our growers to play their part in halving waste and doubling productivity by 2030,” said Hort Connections spokesperson Nathan McIntyre.

“The horticulture industry is always looking for new ways to boost their outputs and get the most value out of their produce. Attending Hort Connections will provide delegates with myriad ways to improve their knowledge and take home ideas to incorporate into their businesses.”

The carefully selected local and international speakers for the event will contribute to the theme, covering an expansive range of topics to suit all areas of the horticulture sector.

Keynote speakers include National Farmer’s Federation President Fiona Simson, who will discuss the importance of a unified voice in Australian agriculture. Global futurist Chris Riddell from the United Kingdom will present delegates with his insights on emerging trends from around the world while Drew Yancey from the United States will discuss efficiencies in the fresh produce and cold chain industry.

The conference will also signal the return of last year’s popular State of the Industry discussion, with PMA A-NZ CEO Darren Keating and AUSVEG CEO James Whiteside joined by author Julian Cribb and the University of Queensland’s Jimmy Botella for a discussion on the key issues facing horticulture.

“The range of speakers at Hort Connections 2018 has been curated to ensure that all delegates benefit from attending the conference. With more speakers still to be announced in the coming weeks, we encourage all horticulture industry members to attend this event and make the most of the opportunity to learn from leading experts as well as their peers,” said Mr McIntyre.

For more information or to register for the event, please visit hortconnections.com.au.

ENDS
MEDIA CONTACT: Dimi Kyriakou, AUSVEG Senior Communications Officer/Editor
Phone: (03) 9882 0277, Mobile: 0488 124 626, Email: dimi.kyriakou@ausveg.com.au